Under high light intensities, if the ambient CO ₂ concentration is gradually increased from 380 L L ⁻¹ to 430 L L ⁻¹ , which of the following plants will exhibit a continuous increase in its rate of photosynthesis?

Step-by-step solution

Sugarcane, Maize, and Sorghum are C₄ plants, whereas Tomato is a C₃ plant. C₄ plants show saturation in the rate of photosynthesis at about 360 L L ⁻¹ of CO ₂ . Therefore, increasing the CO ₂ concentration from 380 L L ⁻¹ to 430 L L ⁻¹ will not increase their photosynthetic rate, as they are already saturated. C₃ plants respond to increased CO ₂ concentration and show saturation only beyond 450 L L ⁻¹ . Thus, as the CO ₂ concentration is gradually increased from 380 L L ⁻¹ to 430 L L ⁻¹ , a C₃ plant like Tomato wil